Are there any good metal combo amps that are not so heavy (Weight problem)?

benjaminc

New member
I want to buy a good metal combo amp and I live in a house and basically in the first floor so I gotta take the stairs and they aren't very wide. So taking a 25KG Marshall DSL40C downstairs and upstairs is a problem for me!
Was thinking of getting the Peavey 6505+ 112 combo since I see that it is lighter As a matter of fact but anyone has any tips?
 
Are there any good metal combo amps that are not so heavy (Weight problem)?

You could go with a lunchbox amp and cab, they’re the lighter alternative. There’s a Peavey 6505 lunchbox, Mesa dual rev mini, EVH 5150 III LBX, Orange, the list goes on. Get the matching 1x12 cab for the amp
 
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Re: Are there any good metal combo amps that are not so heavy (Weight problem)?

Look at neodymium magnet speakers, they use magnets that are much stronger for the same weight so they can use really small magnets which can save a few pounds vs a celestion with a full sized ceramic magnet. Whichever amp you end up with, check out neodymium. Many speaker manufacturers offer a Nd speaker, I've only used them in bass cabs but they are generally light and punchy.
 
Re: Are there any good metal combo amps that are not so heavy (Weight problem)?

Although its not really a "metal amp" the Roland xl40 has some serious meaty metal tones, a built in looper, mp3 plugin, and only weighs 22 lbs.... which is under 10 kg
 
Re: Are there any good metal combo amps that are not so heavy (Weight problem)?

The DSL40C is very heavy for what it is, for several reasons:
  1. 40-watt tube amp (transformers are heavy)
  2. High-power 12" ceramic speaker
  3. MDF enclosure (not plywood)
If weight is your primary concern and since you seem to like the Marshall voicing, take a good hard look at the Vox MV50 Rock model. I recently played mine through a cabinet with two Creambacks in it, alongside a DSL40CST and a Kemper loaded with lots of professionally-made amp profiles, and the little Vox held its own. It is a very good-sounding Marshall-esque amp and it feels tube-like, thanks to Korg's NuTube thingamabob. Frankly, it made me wonder why I would ever schlep a tube amp to gigs again.

Combine the MV50 with a tight, modern-voiced 12" in a plywood 1-12" cabinet (see Avatar or Mojotone) and it will do metal easily. One slightly complication is that it only puts out 25 watts into an 8-ohm speaker. To get its full 50 watts, you have to add a second cab for a 4-ohm total load. This is not to say it's quiet; the MV50 is one loud little fistfull of amplifier.

If you prefer your metal Mesa-flavored, I believe Vox also sell a "California" variety of the MV50.
 
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Re: Are there any good metal combo amps that are not so heavy (Weight problem)?

Peavey VIP2 40 watt modeling amp

Weighs about 30 lbs
Good models
Built in effects and tuner

No effects loop
May not keep up with a really loud drummer
 
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Re: Are there any good metal combo amps that are not so heavy (Weight problem)?

Get yourself a nice pair of handweights and do a few curls every night or so. Maybe throw some pushups in there. Add a little lean protein to your diet.
 
Re: Are there any good metal combo amps that are not so heavy (Weight problem)?

Mesa Rectoverb 25.

41lbs (18Kg) and tone for miles.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
Re: Are there any good metal combo amps that are not so heavy (Weight problem)?

I think it would be a much better idea to split the amp into head and cab, like others have mentionend.
 
Re: Are there any good metal combo amps that are not so heavy (Weight problem)?

Peavey VIP2 40 watt modeling amp

Weighs about 30 lbs
Good models
Built in effects and tuner

No effects loop
May not keep up with a really loud drummer
Yep I had one of these and it was a nice amplifier,and they are dirt cheap with lots of options.
 
Re: Are there any good metal combo amps that are not so heavy (Weight problem)?

For metal, you know switching between high gain and clean, I think solid state amps can do the job nicely and don't weight a ton. I heard an Ibanez 7 sring thru a boss katana 2x12 the other day and I would play metal with that any day. But maybe on of the 1x12 could be the option for you if weight is a real concern, just try them in the store and pick them to feel the weight.

Also, if you have the chance and dare to try something different here is what I use: AMT SS-20 Preamp + ISP Stealth Poweramp in a small pedalbaord then run a power cable into a 1x12 Cab with a Celestion Lynchback.

Or look at this video: An AMT P2 preamp into EHX Magnung 44 Power amp in super small pedalboard into a 1x12 Cab with a V30 speaker. This guy sounds killer.
 
Re: Are there any good metal combo amps that are not so heavy (Weight problem)?

Head + plywood or light solid wood 1x12 cab

A lot or cheaper amps use MDF enclosures which weigh like the bricks of hardened glue they actually are
 
Re: Are there any good metal combo amps that are not so heavy (Weight problem)?

Get a head cab for the DSL40 chassis and convert it to a head. Then build or a buy a suitable 1x12 speaker cab made from plyewood and as mentioned above a neo speaker. The neo Creamback would probably be a good option.

https://missionengineering.com/head-cab-for-dsl40c/?v=7516fd43adaa

Same thing I was thinking. I saw someone over at the Marshall forum cut the head section off the combo and it still looked very good, of coarse the rest of it was trash but it is only MFD which can be purchased almost anywhere if needed.

I may do this to mine and make a separate cab out of some oak or other hardwood.
 
Re: Are there any good metal combo amps that are not so heavy (Weight problem)?

Same thing I was thinking. I saw someone over at the Marshall forum cut the head section off the combo and it still looked very good, of coarse the rest of it was trash but it is only MFD which can be purchased almost anywhere if needed.

I may do this to mine and make a separate cab out of some oak or other hardwood.

Why oak? It'll weigh a ton
 
Re: Are there any good metal combo amps that are not so heavy (Weight problem)?

Since I do not believe it would need the same size cabinet as the DSLC uses. I had made a custom 2x12 and it is lighter and and just a bit bigger than the combo, of coarse it does not have a head on it. Plus I would like to see how it would sound. No reason I could not make another out of other wood if it does not work out.
 
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